49th Annual Fall Faire & Pumpkin Patch raises nearly $45,000 for ENC
The Environmental Nature Center (ENC) celebrated a successful 49th Annual Fall Faire & Pumpkin Patch on Sunday, Oct. 13. The event drew nearly 4,000 community members for a day filled with family fun, live entertainment and delicious local food. As the ENC’s largest fundraiser of the year, the Fall Faire raised nearly $45,000 to support environmental education programs and conservation efforts.
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Photos courtesy of ENC
Searching for the perfect Jack ‘O Lantern
Guests of all ages enjoyed the Craft Crawl, where hands-on nature-themed crafts, such as TP roll binoculars, egg carton flowers, bookmarks, leaf rubbing and nature wands, offered fun activities throughout the ENC’s trails.
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Pony rides are always a popular attraction
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The petting zoo was filled with gentle animals large and small
The Pumpkin Patch, made possible by sponsors such as Blumenstein Law, Beacon Point and the Glover Family, allowed families to select pumpkins while enjoying live music from the Sweetwater Creek Band. Families also loved capturing memories at the photo booth set up in and around an orange VW bus decorated for fall, generously lent to ENC for the occasion by Vintage Surfari Wagons.
The Fire Circle Stage kept the crowd entertained throughout the day with a variety of performances, including Bird Language with Kim Kingfisher, Mr. Skyler and his Amazing Animals, a vibrant performance by the IVC Dance Department, a family-friendly fitness class by TURF and Animal Adventures with Logan the Lizard Whisperer. The Fire Circle Stage was sponsored by Stretch Lab, the Wandrocke Family, Luther Lanard, PC and Janet Krochman.
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Families selected their favorite pumpkins while enjoying live music from the Sweetwater Creek Band
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Enjoyed in the ENC forest, leaf rubbing was the perfect nature craft
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Cheese plates at the Hi-Times Wine Cellars booth satisfied hungry attendees
The Savor OC showcase featured delicious offerings from local favorites such as SOHO Taco, Pizza Bakery, Mountain Mike’s, Mi Casa, Bluewater Grill, Shirley’s Bagels, Hi-Time Wine Cellars and Kean Coffee, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Guests were encouraged to support the ENC’s Zero Waste Initiative by bringing reusable dining tools, aligning with the Center’s commitment to sustainability.
“We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us for this year’s Fall Faire, as well as to our sponsors, volunteers and performers who made it all possible,” said ENC Executive Director Bo Glover. “This event allows us to continue providing transformative nature-based experiences for our community, and we are thrilled to see such enthusiastic support for our mission.”
The event’s auction reached its goal of raising $2,500, thanks to contributions from sponsors like Brewery X, Bolsa Chica Designs, More Sunday and Ecstatic Dance OC.
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The orange VW bus provided a colorful backdrop for photo opps
The ENC is especially thankful for the generosity of event sponsors, including Farmers & Merchants, Peter & Helen Maxwell, the Dennerline Family, Brian Cescolini, Buxser Consulting, Newport Balboa Rotary, PIMCO, the Tuten Family, Back Bay Funding, LPA and Rick John. Their support, along with that of all attendees, helped make the event a memorable experience while ensuring that vital environmental education programs at the ENC, ENC Nature Preschool and ENC Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary continue to thrive.
For more information about the ENC and future events, visit www.encenter.org, or call 949.645.8489.
